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Joe Cocker – ëƵFire It UpëƵ

2 min read
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For over four decades, Joe Cocker has been making unmistakably memorable music. The 68-year-old singer continues that tradition on his 23rd studio release. ëƵFire It UpëƵ sizzles with precisely polished arrangements that feature and highlight CockerëƵs distinct vocal style. I fondly recall CockerëƵs performance of the BeatlesëƵ ëƵWith a Little Help from My FriendsëƵ during the Woodstock festival of 1969. ëƵMad Dogs and EnglishmenëƵ recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1970 remains the pinnacle of his career featuring hits like ëƵFeelinëƵ Alright,ëƵ ëƵDelta LadyëƵ and ëƵThe Letter.ëƵ One of my favorite Cocker tunes is a cover of Bob DylanëƵs ëƵI Shall Be ReleasedëƵ from his 1969 debut album. And come on, who didnëƵt romantically slow dance to ëƵYou Are So BeautifulëƵ at a school dance or wedding? To this day, I still canëƵt get John BelushiëƵs imitation of Cocker singing this soaring ballad on ëƵSaturday Night LiveëƵ with all the facial expressions and wild body movements.

Producer Matt Serletic (Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty and Carlos Santana) masterfully delivers an impressive sound quality by getting the most out of Cocker, the red-hot band and passionate backing singers. Building from the momentum generated from the highly successful ëƵHard Knocks,ëƵ Cocker inspires with a soulful title track that sets a bluesy-rock tone for the rest of the material that follows. The stirring and uplifting ëƵI Come in PeaceëƵ offers a true spiritual experience with spirited gospel touches. The guitar-driven ëƵEye on the PrizeëƵ is a muscular arrangement fueled by traces of funk and soul. Cocker also tackles Keith UrbanëƵs ëƵIëƵll Walk in the Sunshine Again,ëƵ adding his own emotional punch to the moving ballad. Cocker may have needed some help from his friends back in his early days, but ëƵFire It UpëƵ shows Cocker still has what it takes and is doing just fine on his own.

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